beach table settings image
girlie
I'm looking for personal experience info- not so much links to other reviews.
Answer
Here's a review from http://www.iberostar-board.com and
http://www.iberostar.info
=============================================
Me and my partner stayed at the Iberostar Costa Dorada from April 15-29th both mid twenties.
FLIGHT/FIRST CHOICE:
Booked with First Choice â impressed with their service, good choice of movies, games and TV shows to watch, was fed roast chicken on the way out there with a snack before landing of croissant and cake etc. Did get thirsty in between the meals so either take drink with you (purchase after security in airport) or buy on plane. Seats were comfy and room to stretch your legs, my partner is 6ft 4 and only started getting leg ache etc towards end of the flight. Very impressed with our landing at Puerto Plata airport, the pilot did a superb job (approach to the runway was unusual with a very tight turn at very low altitude, nothing to be alarmed about though). Baggage came through quickly and it was definitely worth getting the tourist card in advance, we went straight through without queuing meaning we were first onto coach so could sit and wait away from the heat outside. Donât tip the bellboy just yet; we did it on arrival at resort. Our bus had two stops â the Victoria resort in playa dorada and ours about 3mins further down the road. Driving in Dom rep is very erratic but we arrived safely. Tipped the bellboy on coach $2 for putting luggage on bus and taking off again when we arrived at ICD.
HOTEL/CHECK-IN:
First impressions of Iberostar â WOW! Pulled into resort and the design and quality was evident straight away. You leave your luggage by steps with hotel bellboy while u check in at desk, once you have room number you tell bell boy and heâll deliver bags to room within 5mins or so (tipped $5). Check in was smooth, presented passports to reception and you get room card, towel card (one per person) little info pack and a map or resort, was refreshing to be given lovely pink slushy drink while they went through it all with us. We also requested the safe in room about $2 a day, you pay for this at end of your stay when checking out as well as any other charges made to your room â spa treatments etc. Once your checked in we were walked a little way further into the resort by an employee who showed us various things on the Way â restaurant etc, this was brief and it would have helped if they had explained things further, e.g. procedure at restaurant etc. then she pointed us in direction of room for us to explore.
ROOM:
We were in block 5, near the beach away from the main areas on second floor, this is probably the best block for quiet couples not minding a short walk to all facilities. very happy with room, overlooked mount Isabelle, very picturesque. huge King size bed, TV, fridge, (bottle opener on wall in bathroom), Air con (control by bed with 3 settings) wont work if patio door is open, and fan â on/.off switch other side of bed (looks like light switch!) table chair and sofa. Bathroom with shower/bath, toilet, sink, hairdryer and shaver/plug socket, basket of free little toiletries. We forgot shaving cream and were surprised to find it cost the equivalent of £7 in hotel shop!!
SHOP:
The hotel shop is expensive for international items although they had a good selection , things must be paid for in Dom rep pesos, or credit cardâ chocolate bars RD55/£1, sweets RD90/£2, Pringles RD125/£2.50. Whereas more regional items like tobacco, coffee etc were more reasonable. We found the reception Exchange rate quite low at $1 = RD29 or £1 = RD55. In general the prices were cheaper in the local plaza of Player dorada, and exchange rate also slightly better $1 = RD32 / £1 = RD59. Although personally due to our experience what is gained in exchange rates outside of hotel isnât worth the hassle we went through on our trip out.
PLAYA DORADA:
We decided to walk along the beach to playa dorada, expecting a few beach vendors to approach us but nothing we couldnât handle. As soon as you leave iberostar grounds the beach immediatly gets dirty, and the locals persistently bothering you. It is not possible to walk along beach to playa dorada without getting soaked, at one point you have to cross a little stream so wear sandals and go bare foot, in shorts! Walking past other hotels on the way we were proven how lucky we were to be staying at the icd, the others just did not compare â they looked run down, un-kept and dirty. We unknowingly walked into another resorts grounds trying to find a way off the beach into playa dorada so we could get to plaza for shops etc, straight away a local security guard ushered us off premises and tried to direct us down a dark dingy ally way, my partner said thanks but no thanks and we walked back along beach until we found a slightly safer route down a path at side of helicopter field. Having entered playa dorada we found the plaza without to much difficulty but as were soaked from the knees down we had lost our enthusiasm to visit the shops etc which looked disappointing on arrival anyway. We decided to get back to the main road ASAP and walk back the street way as the beach route hadnât been very successful. However this turned out to be even more problematic. On leaving playa dorada in hindsight we should have got a taxi, we decided to walk hoping to dry off thinking icd was a few mins away. Mopeds would slow down on approach to you and try and get you to get on with them for a ride, and were very persistent, the locals sitting on pathway outside what appeared to be cafes/shops (who knows?) were intimidating and walking around them meant having to go on busy road. After a much longer walk than we anticipated approx 2miles we came into sight of icd and were so glad to be back in safe surroundings we vowed not to leave hotel again except for excursions! Weâre not exaggerating these events, nor are we amateur holidayers. My Partner is a very well built man, and said he had never felt so un-welcome and intimadated before.
SERVICE:
The icd is beautifully wellkept, and the grounds are lush and full of gorgeous vegetation. To give you some idea the paintwork was being restored on outside buildings, there is always workers pruning the trees, getting rid of dead leaves, sweeping beach and pathways etc, and room maintenance was outstanding too, one night we noticed our patio light wasnât working and the next morning a man came round to fix it with no prompting from ourselves, they are very vigilant. We also had someone come and clean the aircon unit out which is a good sign for health reasons.
SECURITY/SAFETY:
We bought two mobile phones, a laptop, and sony psp with us, at no point did we feel the need to hide them away etc, they were left out at all times of the day in room with maid coming in and out etc. we used safe for passports, money and flight tickets and had no problems with security. We took spare batteries for the safe (AA) although we didnât need them. We decided to tip our maid $2 a day (left money on bed) and this insured we had the fridge restocked every day instead of every other day, although the maid does not expect a tip, and with free drinks around the complex available day and night it wouldnât matter anyway.
RESTAURANTS/FOOD:
The main buffet for breakfast lunch and dinner is open 7-10am, 1-3pm and 6.30-9.30pm. On our first night we were confused as to the procedure and it took us a day or two before we felt comfortable. Go in and sit down at a table â it can be hard determining one that is occupied and one that is not. One of us would go and get drinks from the dispenser so there was something left on the table; itâs also polite to allow the waiter/waitress to pour water/wine, which also helps âholdâ the table. Then go and help yourself to whatever takes your fancy. Breakfast = we highly recommend asking one of the two chefs located in each corner for an omelet, there is also bacon, sausage, egg, toast, fruit, cereals, pancakes etc.
lunch = salads, soups, rolls, meat etc.
dinner is varied every night but we had kebabs, lamb chop, a roasted joint every night, chips, pizza, burgers, fish, rice etc and as always fruit, bread, ice cream etc.
There are 3 other a la carte restaurants â the tropical doubles up as a snack bar during the day near the pool â we preferred the main buffet though.
BEACH:
We spent most of our time at the beach so canât comment on the pool too much. The beach was lovely â could always find a sun lounger and the cool breeze coming off the ocean was needed in the heat.
Mornings tend to be brighter than the afternoons, although afternoons tended to be slightly hotter, remember you will still burn in the heat even if it doesnât feel like u are. Wear plenty of sun cream. And keep reapplying. When we were on the beach we would take a couple of bottles from the fridge down with us or you can visit the bar near the beach for drinks/ice etc.
Our first week there were mainly friendly American/Canadians however the second week the majority of visitors were British who tended to be a bit rowdier And theres something about a northern English accent which brings your tropical beach hideaway back down to reality!!
SAONA ISLAND EXCURSION:
without a doubt the best part of our holiday was the day trip to saona island, we had the most amazing time and its not to be missed. be warned it is a long day we got picked up from resort about 6am and didnt get back until 7pm. you are driven to the airport 15mins away where you board a little plane that takes you down to the south of the island - carribean side, the flight is about 45mins - no toilets! but you get to take some stunning panoramic aerial photos, you land and get driven to a little picteresque village where you walk round for an hour or so, chance to get a drink etc, then we got on a river boat which was very relaxing ride, and we were served drinks and a light breakfast, without warning 2 speedboats pulled up and we all got helped across onto them and we were off! speedboat ride was so much fun!!! these took us along the coast of dom rep out to saona island, on the way we stopped at a sand bar and we got out and saw some starfish, had a swim etc - the carribean sea is to die for! so clear and warm, it was heavenly. once on saona your told you have about 3hrs to chill out, swim, sunbathe etc, lunch is a bbq with open bar, bbq was delicious. then we got on catamaran for a relaxing 1,5 hour trip back to dom rep - good chance to unwind, sit back and relax. short bus ride back to airport then 45min flight back to puerto plata again. was a day to remember and our guide rambo was excellent.
Overall this was the best holiday myself and my partner have been on, and would recommend the iberostar to anyone. Itâs a shame we had to come home!
Here's a review from http://www.iberostar-board.com and
http://www.iberostar.info
=============================================
Me and my partner stayed at the Iberostar Costa Dorada from April 15-29th both mid twenties.
FLIGHT/FIRST CHOICE:
Booked with First Choice â impressed with their service, good choice of movies, games and TV shows to watch, was fed roast chicken on the way out there with a snack before landing of croissant and cake etc. Did get thirsty in between the meals so either take drink with you (purchase after security in airport) or buy on plane. Seats were comfy and room to stretch your legs, my partner is 6ft 4 and only started getting leg ache etc towards end of the flight. Very impressed with our landing at Puerto Plata airport, the pilot did a superb job (approach to the runway was unusual with a very tight turn at very low altitude, nothing to be alarmed about though). Baggage came through quickly and it was definitely worth getting the tourist card in advance, we went straight through without queuing meaning we were first onto coach so could sit and wait away from the heat outside. Donât tip the bellboy just yet; we did it on arrival at resort. Our bus had two stops â the Victoria resort in playa dorada and ours about 3mins further down the road. Driving in Dom rep is very erratic but we arrived safely. Tipped the bellboy on coach $2 for putting luggage on bus and taking off again when we arrived at ICD.
HOTEL/CHECK-IN:
First impressions of Iberostar â WOW! Pulled into resort and the design and quality was evident straight away. You leave your luggage by steps with hotel bellboy while u check in at desk, once you have room number you tell bell boy and heâll deliver bags to room within 5mins or so (tipped $5). Check in was smooth, presented passports to reception and you get room card, towel card (one per person) little info pack and a map or resort, was refreshing to be given lovely pink slushy drink while they went through it all with us. We also requested the safe in room about $2 a day, you pay for this at end of your stay when checking out as well as any other charges made to your room â spa treatments etc. Once your checked in we were walked a little way further into the resort by an employee who showed us various things on the Way â restaurant etc, this was brief and it would have helped if they had explained things further, e.g. procedure at restaurant etc. then she pointed us in direction of room for us to explore.
ROOM:
We were in block 5, near the beach away from the main areas on second floor, this is probably the best block for quiet couples not minding a short walk to all facilities. very happy with room, overlooked mount Isabelle, very picturesque. huge King size bed, TV, fridge, (bottle opener on wall in bathroom), Air con (control by bed with 3 settings) wont work if patio door is open, and fan â on/.off switch other side of bed (looks like light switch!) table chair and sofa. Bathroom with shower/bath, toilet, sink, hairdryer and shaver/plug socket, basket of free little toiletries. We forgot shaving cream and were surprised to find it cost the equivalent of £7 in hotel shop!!
SHOP:
The hotel shop is expensive for international items although they had a good selection , things must be paid for in Dom rep pesos, or credit cardâ chocolate bars RD55/£1, sweets RD90/£2, Pringles RD125/£2.50. Whereas more regional items like tobacco, coffee etc were more reasonable. We found the reception Exchange rate quite low at $1 = RD29 or £1 = RD55. In general the prices were cheaper in the local plaza of Player dorada, and exchange rate also slightly better $1 = RD32 / £1 = RD59. Although personally due to our experience what is gained in exchange rates outside of hotel isnât worth the hassle we went through on our trip out.
PLAYA DORADA:
We decided to walk along the beach to playa dorada, expecting a few beach vendors to approach us but nothing we couldnât handle. As soon as you leave iberostar grounds the beach immediatly gets dirty, and the locals persistently bothering you. It is not possible to walk along beach to playa dorada without getting soaked, at one point you have to cross a little stream so wear sandals and go bare foot, in shorts! Walking past other hotels on the way we were proven how lucky we were to be staying at the icd, the others just did not compare â they looked run down, un-kept and dirty. We unknowingly walked into another resorts grounds trying to find a way off the beach into playa dorada so we could get to plaza for shops etc, straight away a local security guard ushered us off premises and tried to direct us down a dark dingy ally way, my partner said thanks but no thanks and we walked back along beach until we found a slightly safer route down a path at side of helicopter field. Having entered playa dorada we found the plaza without to much difficulty but as were soaked from the knees down we had lost our enthusiasm to visit the shops etc which looked disappointing on arrival anyway. We decided to get back to the main road ASAP and walk back the street way as the beach route hadnât been very successful. However this turned out to be even more problematic. On leaving playa dorada in hindsight we should have got a taxi, we decided to walk hoping to dry off thinking icd was a few mins away. Mopeds would slow down on approach to you and try and get you to get on with them for a ride, and were very persistent, the locals sitting on pathway outside what appeared to be cafes/shops (who knows?) were intimidating and walking around them meant having to go on busy road. After a much longer walk than we anticipated approx 2miles we came into sight of icd and were so glad to be back in safe surroundings we vowed not to leave hotel again except for excursions! Weâre not exaggerating these events, nor are we amateur holidayers. My Partner is a very well built man, and said he had never felt so un-welcome and intimadated before.
SERVICE:
The icd is beautifully wellkept, and the grounds are lush and full of gorgeous vegetation. To give you some idea the paintwork was being restored on outside buildings, there is always workers pruning the trees, getting rid of dead leaves, sweeping beach and pathways etc, and room maintenance was outstanding too, one night we noticed our patio light wasnât working and the next morning a man came round to fix it with no prompting from ourselves, they are very vigilant. We also had someone come and clean the aircon unit out which is a good sign for health reasons.
SECURITY/SAFETY:
We bought two mobile phones, a laptop, and sony psp with us, at no point did we feel the need to hide them away etc, they were left out at all times of the day in room with maid coming in and out etc. we used safe for passports, money and flight tickets and had no problems with security. We took spare batteries for the safe (AA) although we didnât need them. We decided to tip our maid $2 a day (left money on bed) and this insured we had the fridge restocked every day instead of every other day, although the maid does not expect a tip, and with free drinks around the complex available day and night it wouldnât matter anyway.
RESTAURANTS/FOOD:
The main buffet for breakfast lunch and dinner is open 7-10am, 1-3pm and 6.30-9.30pm. On our first night we were confused as to the procedure and it took us a day or two before we felt comfortable. Go in and sit down at a table â it can be hard determining one that is occupied and one that is not. One of us would go and get drinks from the dispenser so there was something left on the table; itâs also polite to allow the waiter/waitress to pour water/wine, which also helps âholdâ the table. Then go and help yourself to whatever takes your fancy. Breakfast = we highly recommend asking one of the two chefs located in each corner for an omelet, there is also bacon, sausage, egg, toast, fruit, cereals, pancakes etc.
lunch = salads, soups, rolls, meat etc.
dinner is varied every night but we had kebabs, lamb chop, a roasted joint every night, chips, pizza, burgers, fish, rice etc and as always fruit, bread, ice cream etc.
There are 3 other a la carte restaurants â the tropical doubles up as a snack bar during the day near the pool â we preferred the main buffet though.
BEACH:
We spent most of our time at the beach so canât comment on the pool too much. The beach was lovely â could always find a sun lounger and the cool breeze coming off the ocean was needed in the heat.
Mornings tend to be brighter than the afternoons, although afternoons tended to be slightly hotter, remember you will still burn in the heat even if it doesnât feel like u are. Wear plenty of sun cream. And keep reapplying. When we were on the beach we would take a couple of bottles from the fridge down with us or you can visit the bar near the beach for drinks/ice etc.
Our first week there were mainly friendly American/Canadians however the second week the majority of visitors were British who tended to be a bit rowdier And theres something about a northern English accent which brings your tropical beach hideaway back down to reality!!
SAONA ISLAND EXCURSION:
without a doubt the best part of our holiday was the day trip to saona island, we had the most amazing time and its not to be missed. be warned it is a long day we got picked up from resort about 6am and didnt get back until 7pm. you are driven to the airport 15mins away where you board a little plane that takes you down to the south of the island - carribean side, the flight is about 45mins - no toilets! but you get to take some stunning panoramic aerial photos, you land and get driven to a little picteresque village where you walk round for an hour or so, chance to get a drink etc, then we got on a river boat which was very relaxing ride, and we were served drinks and a light breakfast, without warning 2 speedboats pulled up and we all got helped across onto them and we were off! speedboat ride was so much fun!!! these took us along the coast of dom rep out to saona island, on the way we stopped at a sand bar and we got out and saw some starfish, had a swim etc - the carribean sea is to die for! so clear and warm, it was heavenly. once on saona your told you have about 3hrs to chill out, swim, sunbathe etc, lunch is a bbq with open bar, bbq was delicious. then we got on catamaran for a relaxing 1,5 hour trip back to dom rep - good chance to unwind, sit back and relax. short bus ride back to airport then 45min flight back to puerto plata again. was a day to remember and our guide rambo was excellent.
Overall this was the best holiday myself and my partner have been on, and would recommend the iberostar to anyone. Itâs a shame we had to come home!
Are there any books about kids getting locked into their school at night?
Pirate Lad
Answer
try these
The Novels of Jean Ferris
The young adult novels of Jean Ferris speak honestly about change and choice -- two things that are an inseparable part of growing up. "Adolescence is a time of change," she has said. "I'm interested in these changes -- in the choices we make, the reasons for these choices, and what we can do to recover from the results of bad choices. This is where I find the ideas for my books."
These thought-provoking ideas, which are relevant to teens' own lives, are characteristic of her writing, as also are the absorbing stories and the engaging characters whose sharp and funny conversation is a model for the way all kids wish they sounded. Another interesting aspect of her work is found in the unusual settings that Jean Ferris researches with energetic creativity.
The shape of the origins of Across the Grain is intriguing. On a trip to the desert near their San Diego home, Jean and her husband stopped at a small diner in the nowhere hamlet of Ocotillo Wells, where two teenagers were working, a young woman waiting table and a young man tending the grill behind the counter. "What would it be like to grow up in such a place, with nothing but empty desert all around?" Jean wondered. She asked the young woman and found out that the young man was her brother, and that they had come there from Imperial Beach only a couple of months earlier. But why? And what would happen next? Then the café got busy, and Jean never found out. Weeks later, when she went back, the sister and brother had moved on. "I'll just have to write their story for myself," Jean decided. And so she did. In the Author's Note to Bad, she explains how the book grew from an author visit to the Girls' Rehabilitation Facility in San Diego and the consequent interviews -- twice a week for three months -- with the teens incarcerated there, background information that gives the novel much authenticity. Of Sound Mind had its beginnings in a class she taught in her last year of college, attempting to help deaf kindergartners learn to speak. Their frustration and tantrums convinced her that signing was a better way for deaf people. Years later, in preparation for the book, she visited the offices of Deaf Community Services of San Diego. "The minute I walked in the door I was in a foreign country," she remembers. An interpreter was assigned to help her talk to deaf people about their lives, an experience she found both strange and enlightening.
The questions that follow can be used as writing prompts or for sparking lively talk in a book club or reading group, or simply for helping a solitary reader explore more deeply the characters and issues in these engrossing and touching young adult novels.
try these
The Novels of Jean Ferris
The young adult novels of Jean Ferris speak honestly about change and choice -- two things that are an inseparable part of growing up. "Adolescence is a time of change," she has said. "I'm interested in these changes -- in the choices we make, the reasons for these choices, and what we can do to recover from the results of bad choices. This is where I find the ideas for my books."
These thought-provoking ideas, which are relevant to teens' own lives, are characteristic of her writing, as also are the absorbing stories and the engaging characters whose sharp and funny conversation is a model for the way all kids wish they sounded. Another interesting aspect of her work is found in the unusual settings that Jean Ferris researches with energetic creativity.
The shape of the origins of Across the Grain is intriguing. On a trip to the desert near their San Diego home, Jean and her husband stopped at a small diner in the nowhere hamlet of Ocotillo Wells, where two teenagers were working, a young woman waiting table and a young man tending the grill behind the counter. "What would it be like to grow up in such a place, with nothing but empty desert all around?" Jean wondered. She asked the young woman and found out that the young man was her brother, and that they had come there from Imperial Beach only a couple of months earlier. But why? And what would happen next? Then the café got busy, and Jean never found out. Weeks later, when she went back, the sister and brother had moved on. "I'll just have to write their story for myself," Jean decided. And so she did. In the Author's Note to Bad, she explains how the book grew from an author visit to the Girls' Rehabilitation Facility in San Diego and the consequent interviews -- twice a week for three months -- with the teens incarcerated there, background information that gives the novel much authenticity. Of Sound Mind had its beginnings in a class she taught in her last year of college, attempting to help deaf kindergartners learn to speak. Their frustration and tantrums convinced her that signing was a better way for deaf people. Years later, in preparation for the book, she visited the offices of Deaf Community Services of San Diego. "The minute I walked in the door I was in a foreign country," she remembers. An interpreter was assigned to help her talk to deaf people about their lives, an experience she found both strange and enlightening.
The questions that follow can be used as writing prompts or for sparking lively talk in a book club or reading group, or simply for helping a solitary reader explore more deeply the characters and issues in these engrossing and touching young adult novels.
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Title Post: Anyone been to Dominican Republic Iberostar Costa Dorada? Can you give me as much info about it as possible?
Rating: 96% based on 9658 ratings. 4,4 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 96% based on 9658 ratings. 4,4 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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